The Jardines Story

Life in a restaurant is far different than life in corporate America, especially for the 15 former employees of Jardines restaurant. Jardines has been a Kansas City jazz landmark for as long as I can remember. Some of the greatest jazz musicians in the world have played this little club, but this weekend they showed up to locked doors. At first they were told of a family emergency. Later it was closed for repairs. Soon the truth started emerging that the owner had fired the entire staff. One question remains unanswered. Why was the entire staff of this jazz institution fired just weeks before the holidays?

Answers began leaking almost immediately. Former gossip columnist, and ex romantic interest of Jardines’ owner, Hearne Christopher began writing of new chandeliers. Former nightclub owner, and notorious party boy, Craig Glazer came out saying that the entire staff was stealing. When some news stations showed up at the restaurant, they were also told the staff was fired for theft. It seems like just another case of a well connected club owner using media connections to squash the story. Today, it is time for the other side of the story to be heard.

None of the stories I was reading were matching up with the stories I had been hearing for years. I’ve known several people who worked at Jardines, including some for the fired 15. I would vouch for their integrity and character. These are not people who would steal. When I have asked about openings there, they have always told me that the money was great when you finally got paid. I have also seen pictures of what can happen when the owner was having a bad night. Friends who refused to file assault charges out of fear of retaliation to co-workers. Friends who refused to file labor law complaints because they loved the club and the people they worked with. Now they have no one else there protect and they are willing to tell their stories.

The story began on Thanksgiving night when one too many late night tirades from the owner caused the manager to turn in his notice. This event led to the owner taking over daily operations. Many staff members were owed tips that the owner called “negatives.” When at the end of the night a server’s credit card tips exceed their cash sales, the restaurant will give the servers cash or a check. In some restaurants this money will accumulate until the next paycheck. In this restaurant, several servers were owed back tips for weeks and even months. Within a week, the owner had it with her servers asking about the money that was owed to them.

Last Wednesday, the performer scheduled for that night received a call stating that the club would be closed that night due to a “family emergency.” When the employees arrived, they were instructed to rearrange furniture and perform cleaning projects. For servers who are paid well under the legal minimum wage because they are receiving tips, this meant performing manual labor for $3.63 an hour. No one knew quite what to make of this, but there was an awkward feeling in the air. By all accounts, the owner was acting reasonably normal, but tense. When an employee asked about his back tips being paid, it all went downhill.

On Thursday, employees began receiving calls one by one and told that they were fired. Those that came into work were fired on the spot. One employee who arrived at work to be fired implored the owner to seek help for the issue that was causing her to act so irrationally. The owner called the police to have the employee removed from the property. Everyone I have spoken with explained that the owner did not seem to be in a condition to be making major business decisions and decisions the effect the financial livelihood of her employees. I am choosing to not discuss the causes of this because I feel it only clouds the issue.

On Friday, one of the hottest bands in Kansas City was scheduled to play at Jardines. They were assured that day the club would be open. When they arrived that evening, they found locked doors and a sign that said, “Closed for repairs.”

On Monday, the local television stations began investigating the story. The owner was unavailable for comment. The person who did answer the door at the restaurant told them that the entire staff was fired for theft. No one I spoke to was told that theft had anything to do with the reason they were fired. There was no investigation of theft. No evidence was presented. No charges were filed. The owner has leaked this to media sources and tarnished the reputation of her former employees to any forum that would give her a chance. This is a prime indicator of the lack of respect for her employees’ livelihood and labor laws that this owner blatantly displays.

There are three primary points that I keep hearing from the people I have talked to. The first is that they simply want the money that is owed to them. The back tips are being written off by some who have seen what happened to other employees who left. This is money that was left to them by patrons that the owner has received and is not relinquishing to the servers. The second point is that the owner has long demonstrated a pattern of abuse, irrational behavior, and manipulation. They are all glad to be gone, but wished it was not as a result of being fired at the most lucrative time of year. The third is a sense of guilt.

I have been in this type of situation and can relate to this guilt. Those that were leaders amongst the staff feel guilty for helping to keep other staff members there. The sense of camaraderie they showed cost them dearly. They enter a Christmas season unemployed and wondering how they are going to provide for themselves and in some cases their children. They feel guilty for not standing up sooner. They feel guilty for fighting to maintain a Kansas City institution even though it was never in their power to do so.

All of the former employees I talked with still seem to have love Jardines. They have stories to share of great times with the musicians and the patrons. The finger points in just one direction for the current crisis. This situation has cost many musicians and restaurant employees the ability to support themselves with their trade. My hopes is that any server considering filling one of the 15 open positions at this restaurant knows what they are getting into and why that position is open in the first place. I hope that every band who is offered a gig at Jardines takes the time to consider what this owner has done to her staff and musicians alike. Is this truly someone you want to help support?

In nautical times, the captain always went down with the ship. Things are a bit different nowadays. The hole in the side of Jardines was caused by the captain. This captain responded by throwing the crew overboard. Even as she did, the crew tried to throw her a life preserver. In the end, the captain will still go down with the ship and the loss will be felt by Kansas City for years to come.

UPDATE: If anyone had any doubts about this post being too biased towards servers, check out the following update from Dave Stephens, regarding his payment for his recent performance

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Great article, David. As someone who has worked for mercurial owners and managers before, and lost a job for asking for my paycheck (and never did receive it), I empathize with the Jardine 15. I’d invite them to apply for a job at my place of business, but they’d probably have some deja-vu.

Anyway, thanks for being an outspoken advocate for people who would probably otherwise be suspected by other business owners of being thieves. I have only met the owner of Jardine’s once and she was nothing but indifferent to me, but I’d heard many a horror story about her from former staff.

I know it takes some self-confidence to be in the restaurant business, but do we really need to support narcissistic abusers? From experience, I know this is murky territory.

As a former employee, (back in 2008) let me confirm the serving experience there. I too was fired after being manipulated, bullied and tricked by management. It was sad because I really truly loved my customers there and the musicians who were all SO talented and so genuine. It is sad to see Jardine’s close, and I truly hope a properly managed jazz club will pop up in it’s place so we can all enjoy the music again.

Hey guys so sorry this happened to you and if you are looking for a great place to work you should come to Charlie Hoopers. We have a two servers leaving (moving) so we need a new person. I have worked there for 3 years and I love it. The staff is great and the money is better than any bar I have ever worked! I know they are looking for someone that can handle a fast paced enviroment. If you are interested be sure to come in and fill out an app.Good luck : )

I would 2nd that. Enough of letting these restaurant owners suck us dry! I’ve been in this business almost 40 years & am continually amazed at the A.H.’S who run most of these places. Enough owners & managers! Time to take care of those who are taking care of you!

I also want to say that as much as I love the music at Jardines, it has always seemed like an uptight, over priced venue that never made me feel welcome or satisfied when I left. No wonder. It ALWAYS starts at the top.

Hopefully someone with some class will be able to re-open this KC landmark & make it work, for the customers as well as the employees. Good luck to all who were at the wrong end of this story! Hopefully it will lead you on to bigger & better sites!

I worked at Jardines for quite a while. Some of the time under the direction of crazy owner lady. I have been threatened by her, pinned to a wall by her, called names and I am owed $216 in negatives as well as two weeks of hourly pay. I am glad the truth is out.

We have got to break you all of using the term “negatives.” The real word is “tips.” Tips that were given to you by your guests and should have been paid to you within the pay period they were recieved at the latest. “Negatives” sounds like some sort of jargon. What your guests know is that they gave you a tip and they ought to be pissed that the restaurant owner kept the tips.

In the restaurant biz, most transactions are on credit card, and thus, most tips are. The restaurant can either pay cash from the till to the employee for the tipped amount at the time the employee clocks out, or later on their payday. The payday method is more common at places that pool tips (a practice more common in smaller establishments with smaller staffs), but it allows for more abuse by unscrupulous management and ownership.

I’m sorry to everyone involved, staff and performers. I hope you all land on your feet.

ChrisDec 08, 2011 @ 23:45:02

I’ve only been to Jardine’s once. I paid with a credit card and left a good tip. If the server I left it for didn’t get it I certainly would like it back. The credit card slip is concidered a signed contract and if that contract has not been followed then I personally want a refund.

Bozo ProfundoDec 06, 2011 @ 17:08:54

This most assuredly calls for an investigation, both by the IRS (into the additional income received from keeping the employees’ tips, if that occurred) and the labor department for a variety of offenses. One can only hope that hose will be forthcoming and that an objective accounting of what happened to these folks is exposed.

I, too, have worked for this crazy lady. She fired me after 13 years of employment at Jardine’s from over the phone in India. Reasons.. I just wasn’t “working out there”, and I “drank too much”. Real reason… she had the doors locked on her business partner several months prior to this because she thought he was “stealing” from her (he wasn’t). He ended up losing everything, thanks to her. Anybody who sympathized with him (he was clearly right, she was wrong) was fired. These were loyal employees who had worked there for years. She is mean and nasty, especially when doing coke and drinking like a fish. Everything put forth in this article, I can say with certainty, is not exaggerated. She really is this crazy and erratic. It is a shame, because Jardine’s has great music and a nice atmosphere (as long as she isn’t there). I wish Pat could run it again, or the Halstead’s. I’d go back to working for them in a minute, because I really miss the place. But I will never work for Beena!

TRUTH HURTS ! I stopped going there as a customer for some time as I noticed things were not right; now its making sense and I am very disappointed in its management’s style and hope the establishment would get slapped with some lawsuits including its munity of a nasty management out of there sooner! IRS – go after the management PLEASE???? Management – STOP LYING TO some people about employees stealing and whatnots and get your ugly ass out of there NOW!

The stories, like Beenas “coke a cola” are endless. Find a new owner and we would all come back. Paul and Shelly should buy the place! It needs a personality to run it who loves local artists and knows how to treat them while bridging the geographic and racial divides in KC. No one better than them to do it. Thanks for the drinks Friday night.

I have not worked in the food service industry since college, a long time ago, but I know to leave the tip in cash whenever I can. I have too many friends who tell of stories like this. One boss deducted the credit card transaction fees from the tips. Good luck to those involved.

This is old news. Beena Raja has been a crazy thief and drug addict since she was just an employee at Jardine’s. Her reputation precedes her. Any fool who was desperate enough to take a job there got what they deserved. We have no union in this town, but working for people like Beena make you a scab nonetheless.

This story just breaks my heart. As a singer & artist, I have adored evenings at Jardines! I’ve spent several Valentines as well as other romantic evenings there with Paulie. With Dave and Nicole Stephen’s help, I became engaged there to Paulie, who’s now my husband! What a beautiful, fun night with not a dry eye in the place! Afterwards, Dave Stephens had me up to sing “At Last” as a special request from Paulie. The staff has ALWAYS been impeccable, sensitive and engaging. The cuisine by Jim was ABSOLUTELY delicious, too! The Dave Stephens Band, Barclay Martin, Mark Lowery, Shay Estes, Ida… and more were always top notch people and talents! I loved talking with these quality artists, and I was truly honored to sing with Dave and his great band members. Seeing Jardines close is heartbreaking, but having it reopen without the employees who helped make it what it was, is atrocious. We all have weird stories we could tell that are not so flattering to current management, but let’s put all our prayers, energies and creative thinking into reopening a better-than-ever Jardines! It just can’t end like THIS. Chelle Swanson-Wilson

I think it is sad people like Beena are allowed to continued to screw employees so she can profit and party. Karma, it sounds like Beena’s is coming her way, it has been way to long over due for her. I to think Jardines was a great Kansas City music venue, one that I hope someone reopens SOON WITHOUT BEENA. I pray the employees Beena just screwed will over come this nightmare quickly. I also was an employee that was screw by Beena about 5-6 years ago. I wonder what lies and stories she told about me?

Completely heartbreaking, as I often frequented Jardine’s after working at a restaurant down the street. So many of the staff were just lovely and the music… forget about it. There’s a lot of great jazz in KC, but Jardine’s venue and regular crowd made it stand above the rest. Always thought Beena’s vibe and behavior (not sure I ever saw her enjoying the music) were weird, but I had no idea.

Watch Fox 4 tonight for a true view into Beena’s abusive behavior. There are gonig to be some pretty interesting pictures. Please stay away from that awful woman. Dave Stephens was never paid for his Friday, Dec. 2nd show that he was never even told was canceled, and he just found out today that Beena did a “Stop Payment” on he and his band’s check from their Nov. 23rd Thanksgiving show. Musicians BEWARE, you won’t be paid either. Who am I kidding? You already know that!

This article if far from being too biased toward the workers and servers at Jardines… If anything this coverage is overly kind in its ambiguous description of Beena who is a well-known alcoholic, cocaine and meth addict. Beena has not only fired her well respected workers, she has fired (without calling, emailing or compensating) a ton of local working musicians…
I believe that if Jardines ever reopens, it should be collectively boycotted until apologies, monetary compensation and rehab are on the table.

Wow. I Am SOO glad this is coming out. I am proud of the manager for FINALLY stepping up to that woman.
I was an employee at Jardine’s prior to the summer for a few months. I was fired by Beena Braansgarde on the spot. It was the expiration night of groupons and she scheduled a party of 50 on the same night. Only 150 or so people can fit in there at once and many many people had bought groupons that were never honored because Beena just kicked them to the side. Three servers in that place got lucky that night- the ones serving the party. The rest of the staff made nothing, since our half of the restaurant was total chaos. There were people standing in any open spot waiting for a table, and people at tables who never received their food or drinks (even when the drinks did get set out to serve, it was near impossible to get across the restaurant)! I expressed sympathy and defence for my table who had been waiting for their food for an hour and a half while others got their food. Beena heard this sympathy and chewed me out for apologizing to them. She decided at the end of the night that I was despicable, and fired me, after calling me all sorts of insults to the manager who fired me for her on the other side of the room. I felt bad for all those customers that night. I am happy for Jim, who was losing his mind as a result of working for that NUT, and for the musicians who put up with her crap in order to continue to make a living and to enjoy their audience in this adorable and long-standing little club. I am thankful that I was not there long enough to have many tips stolen from me, and I think it is extremely important for all of Kansas City to know this story so that all the people I knew who worked there won’t have to explain with embarassment what happened, since it is so outrageous it could sound like a lie, but it’s not! It is a very embitterring experience to be treated that way, but now everyone will know how heartless she was to the people around her, and hopefully we will see a fresh new club spring up in its place and the return of all the people who made it enjoyable.
p.s. it is wild to see the accounts of so many others who were fired by this abusive woman. Aside from the last night, when everyone was fired at once, it seems to make sense to increase the catch term “The Jardine 15” to something more like “The Jardine 20” or “30.” Good Riddance of Beena.

The staff should not just forget about unpaid wages and tips.
If claims of employee theft were made to media or anyone outside the restaurant, that is slander.
The staff should stick together, find an attorney, contact IRS, maybe ACLU, sue for lost pay and slander.

This story repeats itself over & over in KC. How the Glazers are allowed to continue doing business in ANY capacity is beyond this reader’s imagination. It’s sad that an alcoholic, coke & meth-addicted woman like Beena has robbed us of what was once a great jazz club. I, too, stopped going there because the atmosphere had become very unwelcoming. Now I understand why. Repetitious, boring, and I do hope Jardine’s rises from the ashes to be what it once was: a GREAT jazz club! Very sorry to hear of the servers’ travails and yes, someone should be filing suit against the owner for back wages & tips. It is stealing to withhold what is rightfully owed to your servers, who work for far below minimum wage just to live on their tips! Call it what it is, thievery, and if the owner has a coke habit, it’s no wonder she withheld from her staff. Duh.

If what is being said about her is true, then every server in midtown should come out in support of their fellow service industry comrades. Sometimes a service industry job can be difficult enough battling unruly, unappreciative customers ( for servers actually taking pride on their job). Having someone on your team be an enemy makes it miserable. From what it sounds like Jardine’s atmosphere and legacy depends a lot on the hospitality and service of these people (as well as the musicians of course!) and it doesn’t sound like they deserved to be slandered. This will also follow them from job to job. With as much publicity as this story is getting, having Jardine’s on your resume could be seen as a red mark.
I was once a server and I would be glad to picket the re-opening of Jardines if it is still owned and operated by this woman. I think everyone currently or formerly employed the service industry (especially in Midtown) should agree. We’ve all known or heard of people like this and they should not be getting away with it. Lawsuit = definitely , boycott or picket = justified.

Sit tight. There are rumbles and rumors of a deal in the wings. And if its true, this couple will make it not only what it once was but ten times better! I pledged to return if they pull it off. I’m guessing 98% of us will be back!

As a small, locally owned Bistro who, at times, has struggled to keep up with our (just under) ten employees payroll and tip-outs we find these allegations terribly alarming and offensive that anyone would treat their employees so carelessly. Our operation would crumble if just one aspect of our machine failed. The staff at our bistro is the reason for any success we encounter. Their fervor and loyalty does not go unnoticed or under valued. It is beyond shameful to hear of such allegations and we hope that proper steps of penance are taken.

We plan to come down and see all of you Monday night, but in the mean time, lets try to keep something in mind. DO NOT get distracted by the likes of Hearne and Glazers comments, Glazer more so than Hearne. If I ever wanted a friend, I guess I’d want one like Hearne who can see the leak on the ship and ride it all the way to the BOTTOM when he’s not even the Captain! Thats amazing loyalty, misplaced, in my mind, but amazing loyalty. My hat strangely goes off to him for that.

Anyone in the service business knows the Glazer stories, no one has to inform you there. I’ve watched him verbally beat up people with negative comments for years. He’s such a shallow, vacant, vapid person inside, all he can do is attack people’s personal appearance. And when he writes, all he can do is name drop every “C” list celeb he knows, his role as a “celeb”, “producer”, his Hollywood days and… yes, his book, which you can pick up for .97 on Amazon. I feel sorry for Craig because it seems thats all he’s got; who he knows, what he sees his own personal image as, his car, his girls and….. his self image of going down in history in the same breath as Jessie James.. Glazer =James. Thats got to be a sad life, so dont get derailed by that. I made some critical comments of him on KCC at one point, I was verbally attacked, had my FB stalked, it was ugly… and all he could pick at was… personal appearance. He thinks he’s it and that impression is confirmed by his full length mirror and a stable of young skanks who are impressed with his Ferarri, BMW… or “whatever it is”.

What matters here, as hard as it is to process internally for the 15 of you on the recieving end of this wrong doing, is two hurting, broken sides. That of the Jardines 15… and Beena. She hasnt always been this way. As I’ve said every time I addressed this, she’s been very, very good to us. She gave me the place to stage my engagment to Chelle. She’s let her sing there. What we’re seeing, oddly enough, is someone disentigrating before our eyes, likely from a lot of the same issues Craig suffers, an enormous insecurity under all the bravado and, no doubt, a lot of guilt and stress. Add to that drugs and booze and you’ve got oil and water. I feel sorry for her and my prayer is she would seek and find help. She’s a much better person that she appears now. I know that may not go down well, but its sad, regardless of what shes done.

With that said, there is still the pain, financial loss and fall out for the staff. That also needs everyones heart and as much moral and financial support as we can lend them till they land on their collective feet. I know too many of these people and while Im sure there could have been some petty activity here and there, I’ve talked to enough to know its not what Beena OR Craig described. There’s a difference in a free drink, here and there, and carting the entire place, is food and cash register out the back door.

I, for one, can’t support going back, as is. Everyone is free to do as they choose, but I cant for now.

I want to thank those who have suggested we buy the place. I’d like that but the problem is, its not for sale right now. I wish things would work out where we could take it over at some point. If that ever comes about, my faith in what took place with the staff and who “I” beleive most will be made evident in taking back anyone who was there, starting with Jim and working my way down the list.

But for now, lets not focus on battling Hearne or Glazer. Its really wasted energy. Hearne is, in his well meaning manner, supporting a friend. I do NOT agree with how he’s doing it, but he is. Craig, well, arguing with him is like trying to teach a pig to sing. In the end, you just waste your time and you piss off the pig.

Let’s rally around the ones who need our support, not get distracted from what matters, namely the people hurt by this and, collectively, lets do anything we can to see they have a great Christmas. Remember this season belongs to the 6lb 8oz Baby Jesus, and say a prayer that he would assist in healing and restoring everyone involved.

The 15 should protect themselves from slanderous references by having a look at §290.140 R.S.Mo., found at http://www.moga.mo.gov/statutes/C200-299/2900000140.HTM. A competent labor lawyer can help write the request for a service letter at nominal cost and would be more than happy to look into the wage-hour and wage payment violations. Procedures have to be followed in order to tale advantage of the protections available under Missouri law.

As a long-time patron of Jardine’s – it wasn’t apparent that things were so bad as now described. Please, Jardines 15, please, file suit to get your money. You worked for it, you earned it. DO NOT let her get away with stealing your money.

In fact, It’s horrible for me to think my tips to my server really went straight up Beena’s nose. ….

There is such an amazing jazz community in Kansas City. It’s magical. Durning the Holiday season jazz and the plaza have a special place in my heart…. Beena never fit in- Everyone knows that— since the beginning. I could see this happening eventually. Hopefully someone smart will buy the space soon… Keep your heads up and keep supporting your local jazz scenes.

It’s now May of 2012. The empty shell which was Jardine’s is still empty or at least closed for business. Jazz has survived the spectacle on Main St. Sad to think of the lives disrupted and ruined in the short run. I also worked for someone with a loose grip on reality. That shocking period of my life after our mass firing still tugs at me. The business is connected to the owner(s). If they falter or shoot themselves in the feet, their business and reputation will suffer. Just a few thoughts wrt to the sad blowout of a life and location. Selah!